The University of Cincinnati men’s basketball team buckled down on defense Friday afternoon at Fifth Third Arena to thump visiting Kennesaw State, 95-67. Four Bearcats reached double digits with Sean Kilpatrick (Yonkers, N.Y./Notre Dame Prep) leading the way with 20 points.

With less than nine minutes remaining in the first half, the Bearcats (6-0) turned up the pressure forcing five turnovers and ending the half on a 22-6 run to take a 48-28 lead. Titus Rubles (Dallas, Texas/Blinn College) headed the charge as he notched eight of his career high 14 points during that time span.

The Bearcats pulled down 20 offensive boards which led to 23 second-chance points. On the defensive end, it forced 20 turnovers for 23 transition points. Jermaine Sanders (Far Rockaway, N.Y./Rice HS) had a career high three steals while four other players recorded two.

Cincinnati’s offense thrived on points in the paint, where 54 of the team’s 95 points were scored. UC had a shooting percentage of 48.6 (36-of-74) while the Owls shot 41.1 (23-for-56).

Kilpatrick led all scorers with 20 points, his fourth 20-point game of the young season, and had a team-high six assists. Justin Jackson (Cocoa Beach, Fla./Arlington Country Day) added 11 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. Shaquille Thomas (Paterson, N.J./NIA Prep School) also tallied 11 points while Jermaine Lawrence (Springfield Gardens, N.Y./Pope John XXIII HS) garnered a career high nine points.

Jackson has now blocked three or more shots in seven consecutive games, dating back to last season.

Cincinnati closes out its seven-game season-opening homestand versus USC Upstate on Tuesday, Dec. 3 with a 7 p.m. tipoff at Fifth Third Arena. The game is nationally televised on ESPN3 and can be heard on the radio at 700 WLW AM.

Tickets for all remaining UC home games are available by calling 1-877-CATS-TIX or visiting CATSTIX.com.